Draining rainwater into a well

[adman]

I'm in the process of buying an old house, and was planning that we'd install a rainwater harvesting system, as we plan to grow veg and want to have a sustainable supply of water.

However, just had a survey and the surveyor found a well, that looks in good condition, deep and with a clear water supply (hopefully I can attach a photo).

Not sure of the exact dimensions but believe it's about 2 1/2 to 3 foot across, and probably about 6 foot down to water level. Question is, rather than put in a rainwater tanks, can i drain the gutters into the well? I'd filter first so as not to drain leaves and other debris.

I'm not sure if that requires any form of consent, or if it creates a flooding risk?


Anyone have any thoughts? I'd be happy if I can and therefore only have to re route drainage rather than the added expense of a tank.

Thanks,
Adam.

[adman]

Hmm, pic came out a bit small, but if you click it opens into a bigger picture.
Adam.

[guydewdney]

why would you want to do that? Just rainwater into the ground as a soakaway, which then filters its way into the well - then you have a gazillion gallon water tank?

[adman]

But surely if I just drain it into the well, then it's quicker and easier than digging a soakaway, and the well gives me a ready supply of water for when I want it.

I'm just not sure if I can just drain it directly into the well, or whether there are environment agency type issues in controlling that the same way as there are for extraction (other than for an existing well).

Adam.

[billi]

i have my doubts the well will hold  the rainwater

[AlanM]

Why don't you test the water from the well and use it yourself rather than use the mains treated water. Or if you are squeamish, use it for your veg, but dont introduce foreign matter from the roof into it, let the soil filter it. Anyway, adding the raindirectly will not fill up the well, it will dissipate to the natural level in the soil, the water table.

Alan

[guydewdney]

wot ee said....^

[clivejo]

I think (providing the well water is of good quality) I would be installing a pump in it and using it for drinking water!  A good source of quality drinking water is a resource that should be protected.  You could always store the rain water for use watering plants, washing water etc in above ground tanks.

I cant see the point in piping rain water into the well and then having to pump it back out!  Are you considering lining it or something?

[acresswell]

You're very lucky... my well is nearer 16 metres deep to water level. From only 6ft down, using the water is going to be much easier. I'm gonna put in a rainwater tank to save on the energy of pumping the water back up again.

In your case, I'd do pretty much as Guy and Alan suggested... catch a small amount above ground in a water butt for use without any need for pumping.  Stick the rest in a soakaway a few metres away from the well, so that the soil can act as a filter and reduce the risk of building up a small compost heap/swamp at the bottom of your well.

You should also keep an eye on what other materials might be leaking into the well.  If you're in a rural area, do you (or your neighbours) have a septic tank? If you're going to drink from a shallow well in a built-up area, there's a greater risk of contamination from the surface (things like people putting algae killers on their patios / washing their car / using garden chemicals). 

I've got a septic tank, so we won't be drinking from our well...  but will be using rainwater extensively!

[ecogeorge]

Have to agree with previous posts.
You have a well of potentially pure clean spring water (get it tested) .
Why introduce contaminated water with litchen/bacteria/bird poo/ lead from roof - for what purpose / gain

Put your roof water into a soakaway or use it for watering garden.
Use your well as house supply (after testing).
Soakaways are just a hole in the ground filled with gravel.
rgds George.

[adman]

Good points, well put. Hadn't really thought about using as our main supply. So might well do that.

Property does have a sceptic tank. It's probably about 30-40 metres from the well. I think it might need to replaced at some point in the relatively near future as we're planning to extend the property, so can probably locate even further away then.

So, will run rainwater into a water butt or two and the rest into a soak away.

Thanks all,
Adam.

[M]

Good points, well put. Hadn't really thought about using as our main supply. So might well do that.

Property does have a sceptic tank. It's probably about 30-40 metres from the well. I think it might need to replaced at some point in the relatively near future as we're planning to extend the property, so can probably locate even further away then.

So, will run rainwater into a water butt or two and the rest into a soak away.

Thanks all,
Adam.

Give the Environment Agency a quick call they are very helpful and will be able to advise on use, changes etc.

They may be able to work out which aquifer your well connects too. Not my area of expertise but I suspect directing rainwater directly into the well, has the potential to contaminate the whole aquifer, so previous links re ground filtering are probably spot-on. What if someone a few miles away has an abstraction licence and is selling expensive bottled water (shame on them) on the basis that is filtered over years, through a mountain, via Icelandic lava flows - you might get a letter from their lawyers?

Also a chance that the local water company use the aquifer, so they may be a little protectionist.

By contaminate, I don't mean make it poisonous, just unlawfully change its natural characteristics.

Martyn.

[knighty]

and before you make any real plans.... see how far down it goes... then stick a pump in it and pump some (lots) out.... so you can see how much it holds and how fast it fills up again...

it's not going to be much good if you can only pull a trickle of water from it !